Remove a Stuck Document That Won't Delete from a Windows PC Printer Queue

Have you ever been trying to fix a problem in your printer's queue where after trying to delete something, it doesn't delete, but it says that it's "Deleting" the item (Because of this, your printer won't delete)? Well, worry no more. This article will help you delete this item for real from the queue, with a few easy steps, that will allow you to print something again from your printer.

Steps

  1. Turn off your printer from the printer itself. Sometimes, this will clear up the problem without any other adjustments being made.
  2. Make sure the power cords are correctly installed into the printer and the printer cord is placed on your computer.
  3. Right-click the Computer/My Computer box, from your Windows operating system.
  4. Click the "Manage" choice from this context menu.
  5. Grant your computer access to the "Computer Management Snapin Launcher" tool from the User Account Control box that displays if your computer is Windows Vista or newer.
  6. Locate and double-click the Services and Applications selection from the column on the right-hand side of the screen.
  7. Double-click on the "Services" item that results.
  8. Scroll and click on the Print Spooler item in the list of services your computer is using.
  9. Right-click the "Properties" option and click the "Stop" button. This button should be located underneath the label called "Service status" along with the status of "Started". Wait a few seconds for this service to stop.
  10. Delete all documents that exist in the following folder. The following folder is the log of all open (unprinted) documents that are still waiting to be printed. Use the Run command (⊞ Win+R to openly execute the folder.
    • C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
  11. Close the open list of spooled documents.
  12. Restart the Printer Spooler service from the Print Spooler Properties box.
  13. Click the OK button at the very-bottom of the Print Spooler Properties dialog box.
  14. Close the "Computer Management" dialog box.
  15. Turn your printer back on and re-test to ensure your printer will print once again.

Tips

  • If you have any operating system below Windows Vista (such as Windows XP or 2000), these steps provided here will also work. Instead of clicking the "Computer", you will need to click the "My Computer" box instead.
  • Once you have stopped the Print Spooler, you may want to leave that window open. It will help remind you at the very end to turn the spooler back on. Follow this tip's lead as it's very easy to forget.

Warnings

  • Users of Windows 8, beware! These steps are no longer the case. Microsoft has moved things around, and gotten rid of the main desktop of a Windows computer. Contact Microsoft instead, to find out how to delete this "Deleting" item from your print queue.

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Sources and Citations

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